Lot 668
Obama, Barack (1961 -) 44th President of the United States (2009 -). Autograph letter signed as President on both sides of a cream-colored note card with an embossed Presidential Seal and engraved "The White House / Washington," 4 1/8 x 6½ in., n.d. (2013). The President responds to a fifth-grade teacher in Texas who had written to express his disapproval of the Affordable Health Care Act and who accused the President and his administration of targeting and ridiculing anyone who disagreed with them.
In full: "Dear Mr. Ritter--I received your letter, and appreciate your concerns about the toxic political environment right now. I do have to challenge you, though, on the notion that any citizen that disagrees with me has been 'targeted and ridiculed,' or that I have 'made fun' of tea-baggers. I think a fair reading is that I have gone out of my way to listen to legitimate criticism, and defend strongly the rights of everyone to speak their mind--including those who routinely call me 'socialist' or worse. I sincerely believe that the health care reform bill was the right thing to do for the country. It certainly wasn't the smart 'political thing!' And I hope that in the months to come, you will keep an open mind and evaluate it based not on the political attacks but on what it does or doesn't do to improve people's lives. Sincerely, Barack Obama."
Accompanied by a cream-colored envelope with The White House return address but no sender's address. The letter would have been placed in this small envelope which was then placed in a larger, addressed envelope.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 9,000.
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| Realized $9,533 |
